Work Text:
The room was quiet. (Only the sounds of Aether's soft snores and the ruffling of sheets—whenever Aether decided to twist and turn in his sleep—could be heard.) And the moon spilled through their bedroom window, casting a soft light onto Aethers sleeping form.
(The soft light framed Aether's face perfectly, to the point it was almost ethereal. From his long blond hair and jawline to his oh-so-perfect lips. Xiao was a bit surprised to find himself enthralled with Aether to this degree, but it was okay, as long as it was Aether, he knew it would be okay.)
And as Aether sleeps in their shared bed, Xiao watches him with a soft smile.
Aether looked so calm and oddly beautiful to Xiao; Ather, with his long hair, splayed out over his pillow, mouth slightly open, and a faint line of drool on his cheek. Xiao almost laughed at it, but he caught himself. Even as Aether snores and steals Xiao’s part of the blanket, Xiao can’t help but stare in awe.
His lover always managed to captivate him even when looking like that.
(Love was such an odd thing, wasn’t it? It made Xiao’s heart thump even when his lover slept so unpleasantly. He was so in love it was crazy. Xiao didn’t think he could love anyone or anything more than Aether.)
Xiao knew he should go to sleep and stop gushing over his Aether, but he just couldn’t. Aether looked too good, too perfect, too vulnerable to just brush it off and go to sleep. He had to enjoy this moment because he knew all too well just how fast something could be ruined, and he wasn’t willing to let this moment go. Not just yet. He was going to save this peace with his lover and keep it in his mind forever.
Maybe Xiao had problems. Maybe Xiao was crazy. Maybe Xiao was too obsessed with Aether beyond what was considered healthy.
But Xiao was fine with that, as long as he could be beside his lover. Even if it was only a moment. That was fine with him.
Xiao didn’t sleep at all that night. Too absorbed in Aether's stunning beauty to do anything but stare at him.
Aether obviously told him off for it the next morning, but Xiao just kissed the words from his mouth.
Love was weird. But that was fine with Xiao.